Jared Verse was scared of both being called for a penalty and what his coach's reaction would be after flashing the peace sign at the Atlanta Falcons' bench during his 76-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown Monday night.
The Los Angeles Rams linebacker wasn't flagged on the play, nor was he chewed out by Sean McVay after the touchdown during their27-24 losstothe Falcons.
Verse, the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, was fined by the league, however, with the NFL announcing Saturday it isdocking him $11,593for "unsportsmanlike conduct [taunting]."
BLOCKED! JARED VERSE TAKES IT ALL THE WAY BACK FOR SIX!LARvsATL on ESPN/ABCStream on@NFLPlusand ESPN Apppic.twitter.com/4NQmlP4wy7
— NFL (@NFL)December 30, 2025
"I was scared as [expletive],"Verse said earlier this week about potentially taking a penalty. "I was like, 'Sean's going to kill me.' I was like, 'It's bad.' I got to the end zone and was like, 'They're not going to review it? Alright, bet.'"
The NFL has fined players for using the peace sign before, with the gesture falling under unsportsmanlike conduct.
Tyreek Hill hasbeen finedmultiple timesfor using the gesture. One occurrence happened during thelegendary "13 seconds" gameagainst the Buffalo Bills in January 2022 while the receiver was with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was $10,300 lighter in the wallet after a 64-yard touchdown run.
The following season,Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $10,927during a touchdown run while he was with the Baltimore Ravens.
